During this Covid-19 pandemic the procurement of PPE has been a challenge and, at times, costly for many organisations. Organisations who are helping others, and who desperately need to protect their employees in the workplace. The provision of these PPE visors from the Freemasons of South Wales has helped over 2,400 workers in such organisations in south Wales.

Robert Payne, who instigated this initiative by the South Wales Freemasons, said: 'The visors were sourced from a local company in the Caerphilly borough, who turned their printing and design company into a manufacturer of PPE visors. The Freemasons of South Wales funded 3,000 units and have distributed them to the organisations and people in the local area who need them most in the fight against Covid-19.'

Sally Morris of St David’s Hospice said: 'Our local hospice and at home nurses are desperate for them, we are so grateful to the South Wales Freemasons for this. This is wonderful, thank you so much.'

This sentiment was echoed by Sally Rees of Tongwynlais Pharmacy, who said: 'All the staff at Tongwynlais Pharmacy are so grateful to the South Wales Freemasons for the delivery of these face visors. These will definitely assist all our staff in keeping them safe, whilst we are dispensing prescriptions to those who can collect from us, and also those we deliver to in our communities.'

Eleanor Prescott from Ty Hafan, a well-known charity in South Wales that provides paediatric palliative care to children and support for their families, throughout Wales, said: 'We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of the Freemasons, and your donation of vital PPE at a time like this is invaluable to the organisation. This donation of critical equipment means we will be able to keep life-limited children and families in need safe and shielded whilst still providing them with the highest standard of care.

'PPE has been a considerable challenge to secure throughout the healthcare sector during this crisis. Without supporters, including the Freemasons, willing to provide us with a donation of PPE, we would struggle to meet the levels necessary, and in the worst case have to restrict our services to keep families safe. Thanks to you we can go on fulfilling our purpose to help make short lives full family lives and be there for families as long as they need us.'

Gareth Jones OBE, Provincial Grand Master of the South Wales Freemasons, concluded: 'I am delighted that the Freemasons of South Wales are able to play a small part in supporting the NHS staff, care workers and frontline staff who are all providing such valuable care to those in need.'